Roman Religion
- main religion was christianity which is where Jesus lived, in Judaea, during the reign of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius.
- early christians were focused on converting other non believers to their newly formed religion
- organized religious communities were created by Jesus' apostles across the Roman Empire
- Jerusalem served as the central point of administration until the city was later destroyed by later Roman emperor, Titus, in AD 70.
- Christianity appealed to people without power and who wanted to feel equal to others. The Christian communities offered food, medicine, clothing, and shelter to everyone.
- Christians were often killed because they refused to offer sacrifices to Roman Gods.
- The Christians were persecuted several times, first when they were blamed for the Great Fire of Rome, which destroyed much of the city. Then, between 303 and 311, emperors Diocletian and Galerius systematically persecuted them in an effort to restore the original Roman values, including the pious worship of the Roman Gods.
- In 312, new Roman emperor, Constantine 1, said that he owed all of his success to to the Christian God. From there forward Christianity became the main religion in Roman society and churches were built. Also, christians were given the authority to be civil judges.